Springs’ housing for the homeless takes shape

In a big step toward the determination to provide overnight shelter for some of Sonoma’s unhoused, Homeless Action Sonoma (HAS) has closed escrow on a parcel in The Springs and aims to place and provide five habitable structures by Christmas. 

The now-empty lot is located at 18820 Hwy.12

Annie Falandes, executive director of the 501.c3 nonprofit, said the 27,200 sq. ft. lot is ideally located, on the bus line, within walking distance from downtown, and close to the Springs Community Hall, where Sonoma Overnight Support serves meals twice daily.  

The morning of November 27 a group of several dozen people gathered at the site. Architect Sean Rodrigues presented renderings for the transitional stage, 18 tiny houses connected by a boardwalk, served by a temporary ADA compliant restroom trailer with toilets, showers and sinks, to be connected to the municipal water and sewer lines. 

Rodrigues explained the plan for electricity to be supplied via a combination of temporary PG&E power and a small onsite ground-mount solar array with battery storage for nighttime use. 

After the project presentation, over a dozen joined in a cleanup effort on the property. Among the unhoused participants, Fontaine, who is lodged at the County’s Los Guilicos Village, spoke of her gratitude for the help she has received through the whole network, including HAS and Sonoma Overnight Support, and said she wants to give back by supporting this project for other unhoused. 

Next step is engineered site clearing and grading. Rodrigues and staff have applied simultaneously for the necessary County design review and permitting. The HAS board has applied for some of a $2M grant the County will award on December 7. HAS has also been invited to submit their proposal to state-funded Project HomeKey, with the County voting unanimously to be the sponsoring entity. 

Architect Sean Rodriguez told the Sun he believes in addressing society’s critical social problem of adequate shelter. “We can demonstrate that there are solutions, especially when all parties come together to make it happen.”

HAS has already purchased three of the QuickHaven units, which are design-approved. Board vice-president Ted Nordquist said anyone wishing to support the dream of shelter here in the Valley can contribute toward the $13,500 purchase of a unit, or toward furnishings for each, estimated at $600.